Cat becoming afraid of people

BritChipmunk · 10-18-2004, 02:10 PM

I have a little question...

the little one of my two kitties recently started being scared of people. in the past he used to be completely curious, sniffing my friends when they came over, purring, etc...

then recently, whenever I had people over, he'd run and hide either under the couch, or behind the tv, or some other little space. he's so scared that he wouldn't come out of there for hours on end, neither to eat or poop. I try to hold him and pet him and talk to him encouragingly, and he would purr and seem content, but then whenever I let him go, he'd run off again.

any ideas on how I can make him more social?

emrldsky · 10-18-2004, 02:14 PM

Just a long shot, but are you sure nothing happened to him when you had people over? No one stepped on him by accident, no one yelled, etc.?

I'm not an expert at cat behavior, but if he's skittish around people, I would be led to believe there's a good reason for it.

As for holding him and petting him, do you do this against his will? If so, he might just be "tired" of all the attention. I really am not sure though.

I hope your friendly kitty returns to his normal self. It's so cute when they're friendly.

BritChipmunk · 10-18-2004, 02:17 PM

I keep an eye on him at all times, so I know that no one did anything to hurt him.

one of my theories is that since I live alone and I don't have people over that often, he's probably used to only having me in the house and all of a sudden, 2 big people show so he's probably not used to it...

usually, he's SO affectionate. curling up on my stomach when I lie down, getting on my lap when I sit... etc.

emrldsky · 10-18-2004, 02:22 PM

Awww, then I'm really not sure what the problem could be. But it definitely could be that it's been just you around, then all of a sudden, people!

I know my kitty is actually REALLY good around people, although I'm not sure he senses anti-pet people (he tried snuggling next to my grandma and she wouldn't have anything to do with him).

Doeremi · 10-18-2004, 06:15 PM

You should give him treats when you have people over or feed him his favorite food or save feeding time for when the people are there.

It could just be that he's sensitive. Make sure he has a special place to go to when others are over, just in case he is that way (like your bedroom, to hide out in). I would put him there first, let people arrive, then bring him out and distract him with food and treats. Some cats just don't like lots of people. He's just bonded to you, not to them, that's all. Not a biggie. Cats have different personalities.

Edit: I would say if he still doesn't like it after you bring him out, don't stress him out any more...take him back to his safe place and give him the treats or food there. Perhaps gradually he will get better and he won't need to be taken to your room.

jessamica8 · 10-19-2004, 02:18 AM

I agree with Doeremi ... I am also the owner of an anti-social cat. I do have an answer as for why (possibly) this has come on seemingly suddenly. First, young kittens are sometimes much more friendly and unafraid of people than older ones (not always, but sometimes) Jinx was skittish at first, then loved having different people over to play with him. When he got older though (and like you, I live in a "quiet" house) he just seemed to get more bonded with the residents, and more afraid of visitors; he is okay with people he sees frequently ... just very shy of others.

You can try bringing your cat out, but as Doeremi said, not if it's stressful ... in my experience, when Jinx is hiding, he's not coming out without a fight, and it's not worth it if it makes him fearful/distrustful of me. Likely though, the cat will adjust to frequent visitors. He may also become less fearful as he matures more, but this wasn't the case with my cat. I've accepted it ... he doesn't like strangers. So do try basically what Doeremi said, but just be prepared to let him go off on his own if he needs to. All cats are different.

Tindi18 · 10-19-2004, 11:09 AM

Yup, all cats can be very different. I have one cat that does NOT like company. She'll run away from anyone she's not used to. If I try to introduce her to this new person, she starts hissing and runs away. ON THE OTHER HAND. I also have a younger cat which absolutely LOVES company. She will come over to anyone and rub against their legs, pur, and do anything it takes to get them to play with her. She loves new company, while my other cat hates it. VERY different cats.

10-18-2004, 02:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
BritChipmunk Cat Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 121	Cat becoming afraid of people I have a little question... the little one of my two kitties recently started being scared of people. in the past he used to be completely curious, sniffing my friends when they came over, purring, etc... then recently, whenever I had people over, he'd run and hide either under the couch, or behind the tv, or some other little space. he's so scared that he wouldn't come out of there for hours on end, neither to eat or poop. I try to hold him and pet him and talk to him encouragingly, and he would purr and seem content, but then whenever I let him go, he'd run off again. any ideas on how I can make him more social? __________________ ~owned by Sherlock:

10-18-2004, 02:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
emrldsky Cat Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 2,354	Just a long shot, but are you sure nothing happened to him when you had people over? No one stepped on him by accident, no one yelled, etc.? I'm not an expert at cat behavior, but if he's skittish around people, I would be led to believe there's a good reason for it. As for holding him and petting him, do you do this against his will? If so, he might just be "tired" of all the attention. I really am not sure though. I hope your friendly kitty returns to his normal self. It's so cute when they're friendly. __________________ Jade, Scotty, and Oscar

10-18-2004, 02:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
BritChipmunk Cat Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 121	I keep an eye on him at all times, so I know that no one did anything to hurt him. one of my theories is that since I live alone and I don't have people over that often, he's probably used to only having me in the house and all of a sudden, 2 big people show so he's probably not used to it... usually, he's SO affectionate. curling up on my stomach when I lie down, getting on my lap when I sit... etc. __________________ ~owned by Sherlock:

10-18-2004, 02:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
emrldsky Cat Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 2,354	Awww, then I'm really not sure what the problem could be. But it definitely could be that it's been just you around, then all of a sudden, people! I know my kitty is actually REALLY good around people, although I'm not sure he senses anti-pet people (he tried snuggling next to my grandma and she wouldn't have anything to do with him). __________________ Jade, Scotty, and Oscar

10-18-2004, 06:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Doeremi Cool Cat Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: California Posts: 961	You should give him treats when you have people over or feed him his favorite food or save feeding time for when the people are there. It could just be that he's sensitive. Make sure he has a special place to go to when others are over, just in case he is that way (like your bedroom, to hide out in). I would put him there first, let people arrive, then bring him out and distract him with food and treats. Some cats just don't like lots of people. He's just bonded to you, not to them, that's all. Not a biggie. Cats have different personalities. Edit: I would say if he still doesn't like it after you bring him out, don't stress him out any more...take him back to his safe place and give him the treats or food there. Perhaps gradually he will get better and he won't need to be taken to your room. __________________ ~R ~a beautiful creation by ForJazz

10-19-2004, 02:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
jessamica8 Premier Cat Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,531	I agree with Doeremi ... I am also the owner of an anti-social cat. I do have an answer as for why (possibly) this has come on seemingly suddenly. First, young kittens are sometimes much more friendly and unafraid of people than older ones (not always, but sometimes) Jinx was skittish at first, then loved having different people over to play with him. When he got older though (and like you, I live in a "quiet" house) he just seemed to get more bonded with the residents, and more afraid of visitors; he is okay with people he sees frequently ... just very shy of others. You can try bringing your cat out, but as Doeremi said, not if it's stressful ... in my experience, when Jinx is hiding, he's not coming out without a fight, and it's not worth it if it makes him fearful/distrustful of me. Likely though, the cat will adjust to frequent visitors. He may also become less fearful as he matures more, but this wasn't the case with my cat. I've accepted it ... he doesn't like strangers. So do try basically what Doeremi said, but just be prepared to let him go off on his own if he needs to. All cats are different. __________________ ~ Jessica, Jax, Tilak & Harley~

10-19-2004, 11:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tindi18 Cat Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Miami, Fl. Posts: 266	Yup, all cats can be very different. I have one cat that does NOT like company. She'll run away from anyone she's not used to. If I try to introduce her to this new person, she starts hissing and runs away. ON THE OTHER HAND. I also have a younger cat which absolutely LOVES company. She will come over to anyone and rub against their legs, pur, and do anything it takes to get them to play with her. She loves new company, while my other cat hates it. VERY different cats. __________________ ~Alexandra Cats were once worshipped like gods. They never let us forget that.

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